Snoring/Sleep Apnea Therapy

There are two primary types of sleep apnea, both of which pose potentially serious health risks when left untreated:

Obstructive sleep apnea – This is the more common form that occurs when the soft tissues of the throat relax, compressing the airway.

Central sleep apnea – The uncommon type of sleep apnea that occurs when your brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Sleep apnea is a very serious health condition, and many sufferers have no idea they have this problem. Why? The attacks happen while you sleep, making it almost impossible to detect unless your spouse tells you about your snoring. At Lakebrink Dental in Liberty, MO, Kansas City, MO, we can help diagnose your obstructive sleep apnea and provide sleep apnea therapy to prevent these attacks.

So, what is obstructive sleep apnea? When the airway becomes blocked while you’re sleeping, it can cause long pauses in breathing, which usually last between 20 to 40 seconds. How do you know if you have obstructive sleep apnea? Symptoms include:

Restlessness during sleep

Loud snoring

Daytime drowsiness

Chronic fatigue

Insomnia

Mood fluctuations

Headaches

Increased nighttime wakefulness

Frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom

These symptoms can be signs of other problems, but if you experience these issues and have found no other explanation, contact Lakebrink Dental and let Dr. Thomas Lakebrink and Dr. D. Alexander Mitts explore the possibility that your problem could be obstructive sleep apnea.

If we discover that you do, indeed, suffer from sleep apnea, we’ll fabricate an intraoral device just for you designed to open up the airway and keep it clear for steady breathing. You’ll be able to sleep soundly once again, and your health will be protected. Sleep apnea doesn’t just cause annoyance and chronic fatigue – it can also contribute to heart problems and other serious health complications.

Sleep Soundly with the TAP Appliance

In many cases of snoring and/or sleep apnea, we can provide the TAP appliance, an oral device that is wildly effective at helping patients get a good night’s rest without the need of surgery, a facial mask, or medication. It works by holding your mandible in a protrusive position, keeping your jaw from falling open during the night and preventing your airway from becoming obstructed. The unique design of TAP allows patients to fine-tune their treatment at home in order to achieve the results that work best for their unique situation. With a success rate of nearly 95%, it is truly the key to achieving great, restful sleep!

Most insurance companies cover the cost of the TAP appliance through medical insurance. As always, we would be happy to assist you in finding out what your insurance company will do for you! Our top priority is ensuring your health and overall well-being, including making sure that you enjoy all of the benefits of a good night’s rest; with the TAP appliance, we can help you make that a reality. For questions about the TAP appliance, please click here.